JOHNBIS SET / Staff
Clifford Bunt was parked in Malinparade near the harbor of Timaru when he escaped from the police car stop.
A 71-year-old man living in his car simply panicked by escaping an attempt to stop police in the Timaru District Court, which he heard on Monday.
Police eventually used road spikes to stop Clifford Rothbant after failing to turn off the red and blue lights at Timaru’s Malin Braid on June 1, 2022.
Police explained that when Bunt drove along Marine Pde on Port Loop Road on Hayes Street, where spikes were used, and finally the vehicle stopped at Buchanan Street, the chase was “well below the speed limit.” I did. have started.
Judge Joanna Maze told police prosecutor Sergeant Trevor Holman that the defendant was 71 years old and had not been previously convicted, “What were you (police) looking for? I asked.
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“There were reports that people threatened the masses with weapons and as a result we stopped the vehicle,” Holman said.
Bunt’s lawyer, John Black, said there were no suggestions from police or others that Bunt was that person.
“He hasn’t been convicted before … suffering from anxiety and depression,” Black said.
“He currently has stable accommodation, but he was parked in Mariparade, where he lived in his car at the time.
“He panicked and took off and headed for his friend’s house … he just wanted to panic and escape.”
Bunt’s car was also detained for 28 days as a result of the incident, Black said.
Judge Maze convicted Bunt and discharged him for not stopping on charges of red and blue police Wright.